Electrically operated starting aid for diesel engines



June 15, 1965 M. L. Kus 3,189,014

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STARTING AID FOR DIESEL ENGINES Filed July l5, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

mi fw June 15, 1965 M KUS 3,189,014

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED STARTING AID FOR'DIESEL ENGINES Filed July 13. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 -Ez'gg2 3,189,014 ELECTRICALLY GPERATED STARTING AID FOR DIESEL ENGINES Matthew L. Kus, Sycamore, Ill., assignor to Turner Corporation, Sycamore, lll., a corporation of illinois Filed July 13, 1962, Ser. No. 209,687 4 Claims. (Cl. 12S-187.5)

yThis invention relates generally to automotive starting aids and more particularly vrelates to an improved electrically operated starting aid for diesel engines.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a so-called measured shot starting aid is provided for a diesel engine wherein the solenoid actuating motor is controlledY by circuit means requiring the conjoint action and operation of an ignition switch and a push button switch and only when the engine is at temperatures below normal operating temperatures, thereby defeating any attempt by an operator to inject starting aid fluid into the intake manifold of theengine either while the vehicle is in motion or after the engine has been warmed to normal r operating n temperatures.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved starting aid system for an automotive vehicle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved control system for an electrically operated `starting aid which has improved safety factors.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved control system for an electrically operated starting aid which prevents the operator from using the starting aidr device while the engine is in normal operationvor after the engine has attained normal operating temperatures. l

` Manyother features, advantages and additional objects of thepresent invention will become manifest to those 'versedin the art upon vmaking reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings `in which a preferred structural embodiment of a starting system and control system incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

rFIGURE. 1 is a somewhat schematic View showing the components of the starting system and also showing various 'elements of an automotive internal combustion engine in. association with the operative parts of the starting aid device of the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a view of the starting aid device with parts broken away and parts illustrated in section to illus- 'trate additionalV details of construction.

As shown on the drawings:A

The principles of the present invention are of general applicability to any starting aid system for an internal combustion engine. However, the illustrated form of the invention is particularly useful when applied to the starting system of a diesel engine since it is well recognized that diesel engines are somewhat diiiicult to start, partic- -ularly in subze'ro operating environments.

Thus, in FIGURE 1 there is shown schematically a mounting Wall at which can conveniently comprise the fire wall separating the engine compartment from another part of the vehicle.

At 11 there is shown an exhaust manifold forming part of the internal combustion engine or, in this instance,

,the exhaust manifold of the diesel engine and it will be understood that the hot gases of combustion discharged lfrom Ithe engine are exhausted kthrough the manifold 11. At 12 there is illustrated an intake manifold through which fuel is injected to the cylinders of the engine.

At 13 is illustrated the dashboard or control panel United States Patent O Mice Vvehicle operator. The push button switch 18 is also used to control the same electric circuit and a conductor wire 20 is shown directly connected to the push button switch 18.

A heat plate is shown at 21 and includes a generally U-shaped member having a central bight portion 22 and offset legs 23 each terminating in a anged foot 24 adapted to engage against the outer peripheral surface of the exhaust manifold 11.

Each foot portion 24 has an upturned toe 26 to better .retain a strap clamp 27. Thus, each strap clamp 27 ernbraces the exhaust manifold 11 and uponftightening of a corresponding fastener 28 will hold down the foot portion 24 in close conductive contact with the exhaust manifold 11.

The heat plate is made of material having good heat conductivity so that the bight portion 22 will readily partake of the temperature of the exhaust manifold 11 through the foot 24 and leg 23 and will quickly and accurately transmit to a thermally sensitive switch 30 a reliable indi cation of the operating temperature of the engine as reilected by the normal operating temperature of the exhaust manifold 11 during a running operation of the engine. The thermally sensitive switch 30 is intercon nected into the electric circuit by the conductor Wire 20 and by a conductor wire shown at 31.

A clamping assembly is readily connected to the fire Wall 10 and such clamping assembly includes a bracket .32 retained by a screw fastener 33. A clamp loop 34 The container or tank 38 is of the type containing a supply of starting aid formulations. Any formulation exhibiting the characteristics of a sufficiently low boiling point to provide a combustible mixture at sub-zero temperatures can be used with the apparatus of the present invention.

The dispenser unit used in conjunction with the tank 38 is illustrated herein as comprising a so-called measured shot device. -It should be understood that a so-called continuous shot" device could also be used in accordance with the principles of this invention.

The conductor wires 17 and 31 are connected to energize an operating coil of a solenoid shown generally at 40 and which is used to actuate a measuring device connected to the tank 38, thereby to discharge a predetermined quantity of starting aid through an outlet 41 having a reducer 42 connected thereto and an elbow 43. The elbow 43 is connected to a length of tubing 44 which may include a helically wound portion 46 for convenience in shipping and adaptation to existing engines, thereby to provid-e a sutlicient length of tubing to afford an expansion zone in which the starting aid liquid expands into the form of a gas, whereupon the combustible gas is discharged out of an orifice-forming means 47 situated at the center of the intake manifold 12. 1

To position the orifice-forming means 47, there is provided a fitting 48 threaded into a tapped opening 49 which can be readily and conveniently drilled in the intake manifold 12. The fittingA 48 receives a compression ring 50 which is compressed against the outside of the tube 44 by a locking nut 51.

To facilitate mounting of the solenoid actuated measurthe frame of the automotive vehicle. Y

encased within ahousing 64. Thecoil 63 acts on an vfor loading the piston 6'6.vin.or` 1efdirection. v

@legers ing device 49 lon the ire wall 10, there lisrprovided a mounting bracket 52 secured by a plurality of fasteners 53V on the lire Wall 10. The bracket'rSZ may carry a dust cover S4'for use in capping the solenoid valve assembly Vwhen .there is no containeror tank3tvv yin assembly therewith. i

. Referring now to FIGURE 2, the container or tank 38 is shown as including' an outlet fitting '.56 in which is situatedla tire valve 57 having anactuator stem 58. YThe fitting 56 'is externally threaded as at 59, thereby vlto facilitate threaded assembly with a Vcylinderfshown generally at 60. The cylinder 60has aninletend 61and an outlet end 62 andvforms the centralipa'rt lof the measurf ing device which is encircled' bythe solenoid 40. ,More

specifically, the solenoid 40 4has a coil 63 which is connected tothe conductor Wires 17 and 311. V"As shown in FIGURE 1, the bracket '53 is connected to ground via The solenoid lis armature 66 which constitutes; a'f-plunger or pistoninactate theY stem 580i the tire valve'57..

ing an O ring 69. ^rThe cylinder forms a shouldergf70,

for bottoming a biasing spring 72, the other end of which `is engaged-against a shoulder/731 formed in Ythe cylinder 60, thereby providing a normal'continuous springf'bias A measuring chamber 74is "formed inthe cylinderiti retainerV 78carried` on thelogwer end l of the piston66.

sensitive switch ,30 is closed.-y A-The'ke'y switchi14, of course, is a part ofthe vehicle and is also incorporated into the circuiting as an added control to insure operation of the device only -by an authorized operator during an engine starting operation. Accordingly, it Will be apparentthat the operator Willbe prevented from using the starting aid fuel while the vehicle is in normal operation or after the enginefhas been warmedtoa normal operating temperature.

The 4device ofthe .present invention-.can be readily in- Y stalledv on existing `equipment merely byfastening the brackets 32 and 52 'on the irfe Wall.rv A mounting hole is easily formed in the control panel or dashboard 13 for accommodating/the dashboard push buttonswitch and the thermostatswitch is readily, connected to the exhaust manifold 11 bythe clamps 27, j 27.

VThe inlet manifold 12is equippedrforloperation by tjftheaddition of the iitting 48 vand theconductor wires cludingan actuating stem 67 adapted 'to engage: and connectors.'Y

17,20, V31vare readily interconnected with ;t he electric circuitry of the'fvehicle by. the use o f quick connect Wire Although 4mirior modifications mightbe suggested by thosey yersed' ini the art, it shouldbe understood .that I -wish to embodywithinthe scopeof the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and jproperly come within fthe scop'eofv my contribution .to thel art. f

` I claim as my invention:

f 1.` In a' startingwsystem fonanr internal combustion envIn operation, when the coil 63 is energized, thefpiston y.

66 is `moved upwardly. .f The actuating stern 67V engages the stem 58 of the tire valve 57 and the yvalve=head 6$ moves away from the O ring 6 9.v The valve headfformed by the retainer 78 and the O ring 77, in turn, engages against the shouldervv 76 and seals the lower endof 'the measuring chamber 74.l 'l Thus, a"- qu'antity of the starting aid or fuel contained Withinlthe container or'tank 38jis Y admitted throughthepassage prescribed by thecylinder 60 and within the -limitsprescribed by the .size .of thev measuring chamber 74.

It will-be Aapparent that no matter'how .longfth'e operai tor continues holding down the push button 19,1110 more chamber 74.

. than a measured quantity o'f fuel enters'the measuring When the coil 63 is deenergized, thepiston 6 6 1.110765 downwardly and the valve head68 seals against thevO' ,ringy 69 which, in' turn, seals lagainst' the shoulder. 70

While the Vretainer 78 and O ring '77 move away from tubing 44.

' By virtue of the springrbiasdexerted by theV spring even though ,there is a leak or if the tankvalver57 should stick,.the upper section'ahead of the measuring chamber 74 will be securely sealed. i l

The starting aid orffuel 'dischargedinto the tube 44 will expandin theexpasion `portion 46A andv chamber 74 and will be delivered` asa combustible gasmixture'to the intake manifold 12. The procedure may be repeated as many times as is necessary to get the engine started. As

thermally sensitive switch'30 and opening lthe circuit.

the shoulder 76 perrnitting'the fluid' to exit4 from' the l measuring chamber 74 through the outlet 41 and into the 60 Energization of the solenoid coil 63 is dependent upon the..`

actuationof the push bulin switch 18 while the thermally 35 between the shoulder 70 and'ajshoulder'76 spaced there- Afrom engageable With'aecond O ring 77 carried byf'a"` ginehaying ari-intake manifold, I

Vandanormally losed thermally sensitive switch in said 'circuitrneansghaving f a thermal element connected toy the exhaustmaniyfold ofthe engine to 'open thermally sensitive vs'abvitch when the exhaustimanifold reaches engine operatingfternperatures, v g whereby; said starting aid actuatingmeans can be actuf ated only up'onoperation of the `control push button Y' switch whensaid thermally sensitive vswitch is closed,

` said actuating means comprisingfa solenoid motor hav- Ying an :arma-ture plunger. comprising a piston movi able axially ,from a irst'to'. va second position upon energizationofpsaid coil, A a'tank ofA starting aid liquid, f if a cylinder in which said pistonl moves'including a coupling connection atjone endforattachment to said tank of liquid, .y f

said'cylinderincluding'shoulders at opposite ends l rthereof Iprescribing therebetween a measuring chamber, Y said plunger 'having spaced OA rings each engageable with one of said shoulders when said plungerisat either4 said first or at said second position,fsaid tank having a safetyyalve engagedl by said plunger, said cylinder Vand saidplunger operable Vto admit a measured quantity ofliquid from ,said tank p into Asaid measuringchamber, and Aconduit means connecting'said .measuring chamber to the intake manifold of the engine.

2. A, starting aid device'com'prisin'gr a cylinder having an inlet at one end -Y an outlet `at, the other end and arneasuring chamber therebetween,`

a 'pstonin saidvcylinder having first; and second valve 4heads at opposite sides of said measuring chamber, said pistoncomprising the armature of -a solenoid, a solenoidcoil` surrounding said cylinder andoperable 5 upon energization thereof to move said piston from a irst position to a second position,

said piston having at one end thereof an actuator portion for engaging and opening the valve of a starting aid container connected to said inlet, whereby a measured quantity of starting aid is delivered into said measuring chamber,

conduit means connected to said outlet for directing the contents of the measuring chamber to the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine having an exhaust manifold, and control means for said solenoid including a push button switch, and a thermal switch connected to the engine exhaust manifold,

said control means effective to operate said starting aid only upon the actuation of said push button switch when the engine manifold is at a reduced temperature. 3. In a starting system of an internal combustion engine having an exhaust manifold and an intake manifold, an electrically operated starting aid feeding device including means for selectively feeding a starting aid into the intake manifold, and control means for said electrically operated device including a thermally operated switch,

a heat plate made of good thermally conductive material and carrying said switch,

said heat plate comprising a bight portion mounting said switch,

leg portions offset from said bight portion,

each said leg portion having an offset foot portion for engaging the exhaust manifold, each said foot portion having an offset toe portion for retaining a clamp, whereby the device may be clamped to the exhaust manifold of the internal combustion engine, thereby to conduct thermal energy therefrom for actuating said thermally operated switch, to prevent operation of the starting aid device when the engine vis at operating temperatures.

4. In a starting system for an internal combustion engine having exhaust and intake manifolds,

a starting means including a starting aid device,

said starting aid device having starting aid injection means connected to the intake manifold for selectively injecting a shot of starting aid into the engine, control circuit means for the starting aid device including electrically operated actuating means for regulating the selective ow of starting aid electrically, a normally open control push button switch in said circuit means, and a normally closed thermally sensitive switch in said circuit means having a thermal element connected to the exhaust manifold of the engine to open the thermally sensitive switch when the exhaust manifold reaches engine operating temperatures,

whereby said starting aid actuating means can be actuated only upon operation of the control push button switch when said thermally sensitive switch is closed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,451,434 4/23 Roesch 12B-187.5 1,526,838 2/25 Dart 12S-187.5 1,537,595 5/25 Federle 123--187.5 1,973,162 9/34 Briggs 123-180 2,013,728 9/35 Fitz Gerald l23-l87.5 2,450,175 9/48 Wirth et al 12S-180 2,943,766 7/60 Orr 12B-187.5

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A STARTING SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE HAVING AN INTAKE MANIFOLD, CONTROL CIRCUIT MEANS FOR A STARTING AID DEVICE INCLUDING ELECTRICALLY OPERATED ACTUATING MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY INJECTING A SHOT OF STARTING AID INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF THE ENGINE, A NORMALLY OPEN CONTROL PUSH BUTTON SWITCH IN SAID CIRCUIT MEANS, AND A NORMALLY CLOSED THERMALLY SENSITIVE SWITCH IN SAID CIRCUIT MEANS HAVING A THERMAL ELEMENT CONNECTED TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD OF THE ENGINE TO OPEN THE THERMALLY SENSITIVE SWITCH WHEN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD REACHES ENGINE OPERATING TEMPERATURES, WHEREBY SAID STARTING AID ACTUATING MEANS CAN BE ACTUATED ONLY UPON OPERATION OF THE CONTROL PUSH BUTTON SWITCH WHEN SAID THERMALLY SENSITIVE SWITCH IS CLOSED, SAID ACTUATING MEANS COMPRISING A SOLENOID MOTOR HAVING AN ARMATURE PLUNGER COMPRISING A PISTON MOVABLE AXIALLY FROM A FIRST TO A SECOND POSITION UPON ENERGIZATION OF SAID COIL, A TANK OF STARTING AID LIQUID, A CYLINDER IN WHICH SAID PISTON MOVES INCLUDING A COUPLING CONNECTION AT ONE END FOR ATTACHMENT TO SAID TANK OF LIQUID, SAID CYLINDER INCLUDING SHOULDERS AT OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF PRESCRIBING THEREBETWEEN A MEASURING CHAMBER, SAID PLUNGER HAVING SPACED O RINGS EACH ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE OF SAID SHOULDERS WHEN SAID PLUNGER IS AT EITHER SAID FIRST OR AT SAID SECOND POSITION, SAID TANK HAVING A SAFETY VALVE ENGAGED BY SAID PLUNGER, SAID CYLINDER AND SAID PLUNGER OPERABLE TO ADMIT A MEASURED QUANTITY OF LIQUID FROM SAID TANK INTO SAID MEASURING CHAMBER, AND CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTING SAID MEASURING CHAMBER TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD OF THE ENGINE. 